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Report finds over 15 million Americans have ADHD, and a shocking number weren’t diagnosed until adulthood
Using data from the CDCs National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System, the government estimates that 15.5 million American adults currently have attention deficit hyperactive disorder, better known as ADHD.
Thats 6% of the US adult population. Many of us know from conversations with friends, if not experience, that living with ADHD can be very challenging. If you dont, it may be worth informing yourself about ADHD. But those challenges can be mitigated in a multitude of ways. If you think you might have ADHD but havent received a diagnosis, consider seeing a professional. It turns out that more than half of adults with ADHD, in the US at least, werent diagnosed until they reached adulthood.
Report finds 6% of US adults are living with ADHD
The CDCs National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System asks a minimum of 4,000 adults per round of data collection. Its administered by Ipsos and the University of Chicago.
Based on data from late last year, the CDC has estimated that 15.5 million US adults have ADHD, which amounts to 6% of the United States adult population, or 4.6% of its total population.
Nearly a third of those adults with ADHD reported taking some sort of stimulant medication, according to the report. Meanwhile, close to half have used telehealth for ADHD care.
Telehealth (or telemedicine) services are relatively new. They can be a cost-effective and convenient alternative to in-person visits with doctors or specialists, according to CHADDs ADHD Newsstand.
CHADD stands for Children and Adults with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder. Its a leading nonprofit serving people affected by ADHD.
If youre thinking about using a telemedicine service, proceed with some caution at first, the charity notes. Research the providers you are considering. Check on the specialists licensure and whether they offer services in your state.
Beware the pitfalls of telehealth services if you’re seeking ADHD diagnosis
Qbtech is a medical equipment manufacturer based in London, England. It provides ADHD tests to help clinicians measure symptoms of ADHD and has FDA clearance to operate in the US.
It claims there are several benefits of telehealth ADHD testing, including:
- More flexibility for bookings and appointments, and more appointment availability.
- Fewer logistical challenges when connecting patients and clinicians.
- No need to spend money on traveling to and from centers of care.
However, as with most technologically mediated versions of in-person care, there are drawbacks. ADDitude Magazine, a publication about ADHD owned and operated by WebMD, cautions against treating it as an ideal replacement.
There are serious concerns about the accuracy of telehealth evaluations, it argues. Since there are no blood tests, specific laboratory findings, X-ray findings, or diagnostic findings on a patients physical or neurological evaluations, the diagnosis of ADHD usually depends on a patients (or their parents) self-reporting.
This, it states, has proven problematic, and even fraudulent in some cases. One company reportedly made diagnoses based on a patients minute-long self-assessment and a 30-minute or less virtual evaluation, and allegedly began distributing Adderall and other stimulants.
